All of the following is complete and total fiction. Not a word of it occurred, nor would it.
The Perks of Being a Podcaster
by MrMaxLord
(MF, exhib, cons)
Chapter 10: Hailee Steinfeld
*****
Fresh off the end of my time in New York with Taylor and Ashley, I thought I was going to have a nice, easy going time on my train ride back to finish out my vacation. And I was mostly right. However, something told me the familiar face sitting across from me was going to keep things from being as calm.
"I have to admit," Hailee said, finding just the right spot for optimal comfort and, apparently, sexiness in her seat. "I didn't really expect to see anyone I know here. Not that I'm complaining, I just kind of chose a train specifically for that reason."
"Same here." I replied. "I mean, if I'm bothering you I could jump off the train."
"Awww, how sweet." she giggled. "Nah, I think I'll like the company. I love being on the show, but I've never really talked to you outside of it. This is the perfect chance to change that."
"I didn't know I was that interesting."
"Oh, don't be so coy," Hailee grinned. "Don't forget, we do kind of move in the same circles with some people. You've got a bit of a rep."
"A good one I hope."
"Well, it's one you have to live up to instead of living down."
"I hope it's not too lofty in that case."
"How about you join me for dinner and we can both find out? Besides, I'm actually kind of excited to eat on a train."
"I know, right? Weird."
"Then let's have a weirdo dinner together." We got up and walked together to the dining cart. The train was booked lightly, so getting a seat was a quick affair. As an added bonus, the dinner was going to be surprisingly private and cozy, as there weren't any people seated around us. In fact, the nearest occupied tables were on the other side of the car.
"I am really glad I made sure this was a lightly booked trip," I said, pulling out a seat for Hailee. "Not really a big fan of crowds. Which of course means I needed to take a vacation in New York."
"Ah yes, with that bastion of open space known as Manhattan," she said with a smile. "I hate crowds too, unless I'm in front of them. Like any person with a healthy ego that isn't desperately starved for attention."
"A typical entertainer in other words."
"Exactly." We both laughed, and weren't afraid to hide it, snorts and all. "I get it though. That's why I booked this train. I always like checking that stuff out. And this one got the prize."
"Why were you in New York? Vacation as well?"
"No, all business. No real fun stuff. Which is why, well, train. And it's just me. Not that I don't love my family and friends, I just really needed to decompress from everyone, including them. Too much work, too much personal stuff on my mind, and I thought, hey...trains. No paparazzi, and I can pretty much be alone with my thoughts whenever I want. I don't get that with airplanes. I mean, that's like pa central. And a cruise would have the same problem because there's no way I'm going out to sea without a bikini."
"Well, that's something to be thankful for."
"Hey, I know what I got, and I'm proud. And thanks for looking." Hailee gave me a wink, then sipped at her water. "Still, this seemed the best option, and I've never really traveled just for me, and definitely not on a train."
"Well, so far far as all that stress been eased?"